A full house focused on how best to mark the Bowlus Fine Arts Center’s 50th birthday at a brainstorming session Monday night at the Creitz Recital Hall.
“We may get a new school. And we’re on our way to a new hospital. But we’ll never get another performing arts center,” said Susan Raines, Bowlus executive director. “So our purpose is to not only celebrate this wonderful facility, but also ensure its future.”
Six tables of six then put their heads together to consider what programs have been successful at the Center, how to raise funds to make the Center less-dependant on the school district for its funding, how to celebrate next year’s kickoff of its golden anniversary, and what physical changes were necessary for the building.
All the groups agreed an elevator was necessary for the 48-year-old building.
Fundraising ideas included getting in touch with former students who have moved away. For many who performed on the Bowlus stage it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in such a magnificent auditorium.
As for favorite programs, the great stage magician Harry Blackstone, Jr., was mentioned.
Angela Henry recalled seeing Blackstone on television during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
“He was asked where his most memorable performance venue had been and he said Iola, Kansas.”
Others recalled Marcel Marceau, Jack Hanna, the Kodak travelogues, and numerous musicals including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “High School Musical.”
One person suggested a portrayal of Tom Bowlus, similar to a Mark Twain impersonation, to tell his story of growing up in Iola and his road to success.
What was he like as a person? Why did the arts mean so much to him? Was he extravagant?
Bowlus left $2 million in his will to build the Bowlus Center.
THE NEXT meeting of minds will be this summer, Raines said.
“By then we’ll have compiled all your ideas and find a consensus of where we need to go.”
To get involved, call the Bowlus at 365-4765. Or visit the Bowlus website at www.bowluscenter.org.
